Fluoroboric Acid

About Fluoroboric Acid

Fluoroboric Acid is slightly ambiguous as it does not exist in the absence of a solvent. The name Fluoroboric Acid may refer to a range of compounds depending upon the solvent, which could be any Lewis base, including water and diethyl ether. Though aqueous Fluoroboric Acid is often represented by the simplified formula HBF₄, several water molecules are actually required to solvate the proton, so a more precise representation would be the formula [H(H₂O)_n]⁺[BF₄]⁻.

It is a strong acid of variable pK_a values depending upon the solvent. It is used as a precursor to fluoroborate salts, as a catalyst in organic chemistry reactions (e.g. alkylation and polymerization), and electroplating of tin and tin alloys.

Common Uses and Applications

• Catalyst
• Precursor to fluoroborate salts
• Electroplating
• Aluminum etching
• Acid pickling

Industries that use Fluoroboric Acid

• Laboratory Solvent
• Electronics Industry
• Metal Refining/Processing